Photo credit: www.cntraveler.com
Finding Solace: Exploring Manhattan’s Healing Forest
From the Roosevelt Island tramway, a sweeping view of the East River reveals a diminishing New York City skyline, where the cacophony of sirens and subway trains gradually fades. This aerial transit sets the tone for my exploration of tranquility within one of the planet’s most vibrant urban landscapes, leading me to the southern tip of Roosevelt Island, where a small yet striking forest thrives, housing over 1,500 trees on a parcel of land comparable to a tennis court.
Nestled alongside the East River Esplanade, the newly established Manhattan Healing Forest stands in stark contrast to its towering concrete surroundings. As I approach Southpoint Park on an unusually warm day in March, the melodious chirping of chickadees and orange-bellied robins heralds my arrival at this green refuge.
Meeting Christine Delfico, the founder of iDig2Learn, I find a dedicated guide with a passion for environmental education. Her organization engages local students to cultivate urban gardens, and as she interacts playfully with the budding plants, it feels as though she has become a part of the ecosystem itself. Two years prior, she sought state approval to establish New York City’s inaugural micro-forest, and now, just over a year after its inception, over 400 volunteers have come together to plant its first trees.
As I join Delfico in the garden, an invisible boundary seems to dissolve, transporting me away from the urban frenzy. The gentle breeze stirs the leaves of 47 native species, including beach plum, white oak, and sweet birch. The contrasting blue tags from the US Forest Service, denoting plants like wild strawberries and shagbark hickories, add a whimsical touch to the serene setting.
Among the 47 plant species that form this forest are native varieties essential to Manhattan’s biodiversity, such as eastern white pines and wild black cherries. The project has been meticulously planned in collaboration with the Lenape Center to revive local flora and fauna and restore ecological balance in an area long dominated by urban development.
Interestingly, the human interactions surrounding the forest offer a refreshing contrast to the bustling streets of Manhattan. Visitors here engage with a sense of curiosity and friendliness, momentarily shedding the customary social norms observed across the river. “This summer, we can expect an abundance of blueberries!” Delfico enthusiastically shares with a Public Works team, prompting delighted responses and smiles.
This small-scale retreat from urban life symbolizes the experimental spirit that characterizes Roosevelt Island. A stroll here is like exploring a collage of New York City’s unique ventures, from the historical smallpox hospital of the 19th century to the innovative Cornell Tech and the adjacent Strecker Memorial Laboratory, the nation’s pioneering research institution for pathology. Delfico remarks, “Many of those marginalized by society were relocated to Roosevelt Island.”
In addition to its serene ambiance, the Healing Forest serves a crucial environmental function. It acts as a living seawall against flooding, erosion, and pollutant runoff—issues increasingly pertinent as climate change exacerbates weather extremes. Positioned in the middle of the East River, Roosevelt Island faces significant challenges from rising sea levels.
The Healing Forest stands as the latest testament to Roosevelt Island’s legacy of scientific exploration and environmental stewardship. Among the diverse group of over 400 volunteers present during its planting were members of the Yakama Nation, local school groups, as well as Elise Van Middelem, the founder and CEO of SUGi, which played a pivotal role in the project’s development.
“Think of Manhattan’s Healing Forest as urban acupuncture,” Ethan Bryson, the lead forester from SUGi, explains. “It’s a concentrated effort that roots the island, enhances water quality, and accelerates the restoration of habitats that have suffered over decades into just a few years.”
Source
www.cntraveler.com